(LEAD) N. Korea proposes separated family reunions

SEOUL, Jan. 24 (Yonhap) -- North Korea on Friday made an abrupt proposal for the reunions of separated families living in both Koreas, and the South Korean government immediately welcomed the proposal.

The North Korean Red Cross proposed holding the reunions at the Mount Kumgang resort "at a convenient time" after the Lunar New Year holiday, Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency said, adding that the proposal was made through a telephone message sent to the president of South Korea's Red Cross.